COMPANY OVERVIEW

Background

Having started in 2014 with a team of seven, Bravada today employs over 40 people and has developed a reputation among suppliers and industry bodies as being the industry benchmark for quality, reputation, innovation and customer service. In addition to providing quality waterproofing solutions to all areas of construction from below ground to rooftop and everything in between, Bravada has established industry leading capability in specialist remedial works areas including:
  • Concrete Repair & Remediation
  • Concrete Floor Remediation & Coatings
  • Metal Deck Roof System Remediation
  • Balcony, Courtyard & Rooftop Remediation
In addition to its core waterproofing services, these speciality services enable Bravada to provide clients such as asset owners, owners committees / body corporates, residential / commercial property managers and residential / commercial builders (warranty departments) with a one stop shop for a multitide of repair and remedial works not typically provided by mainstream contractors such as plumbers, builders, painters, tilers and the like.

Waterproofing Industry Reform

In late 2018 the Victorian Parliament passed the Building Amendment (Registration of Building Trades and Other Matters) Bill 2018. Priority areas upon enactment of the Bill (scheduled for 2020) include:

  • Requirements for the licensing of carpenters (including framers), plasterers, footing & foundation workers, bricklayers and waterproofers.
  • a broader requirement for the occupational licencing of employees working in these trades.

Bravada welcomes the introduction of these initiatives by the State Government as a means of removing cowboys operating in these trades, further restoring confidence in the building industry and in better protecting consumers against building defects.

Bravada is well ahead of the curve here in the waterproofing industry as Bravada is already a Registered Building Practitioner with the Victorian Building Authority and most of Bravada’s Applicators already possess the highest form of certification available in our industry, being a Certificate III in Waterproofing obtained from Melbourne Polytechnic.

Quality Approach

All waterproofing requires an uncompromising approach when it comes to the works specification and the selection and application of products. For a new construction project, waterproofing typically accounts for 2 – 3% of the total project budget yet water leaks and related issues account for circa 80% of warranty & defect claims. Further heightening the importance of quality waterproofing is the fact that the vast majority of applied waterproofing membranes are quickly covered over by tiles and other materials as part of the construction process. This means that the quality of the waterproofing installation cannot be readily assessed when the application has been completed and any substandard waterproofing installations only become evident when something goes wrong.

Bravada’s industry leading approach to quality is compromised of key elements:

Quality Products

Bravada recommends and uses only those products that are sourced from its leading Australian based suppliers and where the manufacturer’s full product warranties apply.

Technical advice

Bravada’s experienced technicians can recommend the best products for your project and where required can draw upon technical input from our strategic product suppliers.

Bravada encourages & welcomes involvement from its builder clients at the appropriate stage of design / construction so it can assist with matters including waterproofing specifications, scope of works and works sequencing that will provide for a quality waterproofing outcome that is BCA and AS:3740 / 4654 compliant.

Applicator Training

This is a key focus for Bravada and all of its Applicators have received extensive training, both on site and from our strategic product suppliers. In addition, all of Bravada’s Residential Applicators are required to hold a Certificate III in Waterproofing which has been obtained from industry recognized training institutions such as Melbourne Polytechnic. In support of its quality control measures, Bravada does not engage sub contractors to carry out waterproofing works and Bravada’s Applicators are permanent employees.

Warranties

Waterproofing works completed by Bravada are supported by meaningful warranties, as unlike many waterproofing contractors operating today, Bravada is a large and robust business that plans to be around for the long term. Warranties for completed works covered by AS:3740/4654 are typically for a period of 7 years, although in some cases longer warranties may be available based on the membrane type and any extended warranties that may be available from the product manufacturer.

BRAVADA LEADERSHIP TEAM

Bravada’s Leadership Team is comprised of the following key managers:

Gary McMahon (Managing Director)

Over 30 years experience in working for blue chip corporate companies including Mobil Oil Australia, National Foods and Lion Dairy & Drinks and specialised in the management of independent 3rd party networks and related corporate governance, contracts and asset management issues. Held senior management positions with all these employers, including the most recent position of Franchise & Distributor Director for Lion Dairy & Drinks.

Why get involved in the Waterproofing Industry?

​“Victoria’s Waterproofing Industry has a chequered history and in an unregulated building trade the bar was set low in terms of the quality of works, customer service, professionalism and contractor credibility & reputation.

The opportunity existed for a new entrant to the waterproofing industry to take on an innovator role and to establish itself as an industry leader able to meet the increasingly demanding requirements of the more discerning builders & other clients requiring waterproofing and related building services.

Through its focus on strategic supplier partnerships, recruitment, training, customer service & capability build, Bravada has already established itself as the industry’s new benchmark and it will continue to focus on these key areas as it further increases its operational capability and the range of services it offers to the market and its valued clients”.

Andrew Milan (Director & Operations Manager)

Nearly 20 years experience in the waterproofing industry and holds a Cert IV in Building Construction along with a Commercial Building Licence.

Widely regarded as one of the most knowledgeable waterproofing experts within the Victorian construction industry. Working in conjunction with the likes of architects, engineers, construction managers & supplier’s technical staff is a mainstream activity for Andrew, as is developing effective solutions for remedial and new construction projects with specialised and demanding requirements.

Steve Baker (Operations Manager - Remediation)

Having started working in his family’s waterproofing business, Steve has now been involved in the industry for over 15 years.

As manager of Bravada’s residential waterproofing and remedial works departments, Steve’s focus is on developing and implementing works programs and specifications that align with the specific requirements of each job and which are Australian Standards and BCA compliant. Leak investigation / reporting and conducting exploratory works in support of defining the appropriate scope of works are important components of Steve’s methodical and thorough approach to remedial works challenges, as are end to end project management and Q.A sign off.

Many of the remedial jobs Steve and his team are involved in are rectifying failed and non compliant works that clients are, for various reasons, unable to have rectified under warranty.
Steve’s approach with remedial clients is very much along the lines of “we need to get it right this time, as you don’t want to have to pay for these works again”.

Mark Smith (Business Development Manager)

Mark joined Bravada in July 2019 and brings with him a wealth of experience from having worked for some key players in the construction and waterproofing industries for over ten years.

In addition to his extensive knowledge around most types of waterproofing products and applications, over the past 5 years of his career Mark has worked extensively with clients in the food manufacturing, retail and new construction sectors in specifying and project managing the installation of floor coatings systems, including epoxy and poly cement coatings.

Mark has extensive contacts with industry suppliers and using his broad knowledge of available waterproofing and flooring systems, in his key role as Business Development Manager, specialises in working with architects, engineers, builders and asset owners in designing and project managing the installation of systems best suited to the specified design brief.